Texas Toast

The exact origins of “Texas toast” are still unknown. The toast possibly originated with the popular Rainbo bread. See also New York Brand Texas Toast.
 
The Pig Stand “drive in” restaurant claims to have invented “Texas toast” in 1941.
 
 
“Pig Stand” essay
by Sharon Eaves, freelance writer & owner of The Source,
French High School ‘66
 
In 1921 the Pig Stand made its debut in Dallas, with its tasty Pig Sandwiches that remain a favorite today. It was also during this time that young men, in an effort to serve all customers and avoid traffic jams, would jump on the running boards of cars, take the food orders and return as soon as possible with the meal. Thus, the term “carhop” originated!

One such carhop was a young Royce Hailey who began work in 1930 and worked his way up through the organization to become president in 1955. His son Richard Hailey continues the Pig Stand tradition. Rose Hoots, Pig Stand Manager for thirty years commented, “The biggest change that I have noticed in my many years as manager is the absence of the carhops. I think that since our customers have also stayed with us for years, that “trend” was simply outgrown.” The Pig Stands were also pioneers in other areas such as drive-thru windows in 1931 and fluorescent lighting in 1939; as well as the first to use fried onion rings. Royce Hailey initiated the most famous invention: Texas Toast. When he had asked Rainbow Bakery to slice his loaves of bread thicker, slabs of bread appeared that were too thick to fit in the toaster. One of the cooks suggested that they butter them and toast them on both sides. What a hit with the customers! Unfortunately, Hailey failed to patent this invention which had its birthplace at the Pig Stand on Calder, Circa 1941.
 
(Oxford English Dictionary)
1969 Britannica Bk. of Year (U.S) 801/1 Texas toast, a thick slice of bread warmed and covered with butter.
   
Wikipedia: Texas Toast
The Texas toast was first served at the Pig Stands on Calder Avenue in Beaumont, Texas. Royce Hailey requested that the bread from the Rainbo bakery be sliced thicker, but the bread came out too thick for the toaster, so a cook buttered both sides of the bread and placed it on the griddle to toast it medium brown.
   
23 January 1944, Abilene (TX) Reporter-News, “Benny Beam from the Air Base,” pg. 9, col. 1:
The other day a lad came in wailing about “Texas coffee” and “Texas toast”...“What is it?” we asked innocently…The Sad Sack replied: “It’s coffee made with hot water that has come from the tap, and the toast is only done on one side….”
     
23 February 1957, Waco (TX) News-Tribune, pg. 13, col. 8 ad:
Our own Texas toast, coffee with pure cream and famous old fashioned strawberry shortcake topped with delicious whipped cream.
(...)
THE HICKORY STICK
2300 No. 18th
     
27 October 1957, San Antonio (TX) Light, pg. 12F, col. 2 ad:
Featuring: FAMOUS “TEXAS” TOAST
(Harry’s Drumstick—ed.) 
 
18 November 1957, Abilene (TX) Reporter-News, pg. 2A, col. 1 ad:
Definite opening and closing hours have not been decided upon yet, but are serving three meals per day, beginning with breakfast featuring those wonderful MACK EPLEN hot cakes and waffles, served with LOG CABIN syrup, hot biscuits and Texas style toast made from thick sliced white, butter bread, baked fresh daily in our own bake shop.   
 
9 March 1959, Odessa (TX) American, pg. 11, col. 3 ad:
BUCK’S
207 E. 27th
(...)
Served with Salad, Gravy, Honey, Tangy and Tartar Sauce, French Fries and Texas Toast
     
20 October 1960, Dallas Morning News, section 5, pg. 7:
TEXAS TOAST
Pull apart sections of Mrs. Baird’s Pull-A-Part Bread. Place on ungreased baking sheet and toast in oven or broiler. Remove from oven, butter untoasted side and return to oven to finish toasting.

7 November 1960, Grand Bend (KS) Daily Tribune, pg. 5, col. 3 (Safeway ad):
Skylark Bread 20-oz. loaf 27c
Texas Style Thick
Sliced White Sandwich
Loaf Perfect for
Texas Toast
 
21 September 1961, Washington Post, pg. C16:
..along with colorful concoctions such as Ham Pops, Tipsy Cake, Texas Toast and Dulcet Cream.
(In the book Recipes of the Old South by Martha Meade - ed.)
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark TEXAS TOAST
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 030. US 046. G & S: Bread, for Consumption On or Off the Premises. FIRST USE: 19630000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19630000
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 73115540
Filing Date February 11, 1977
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition December 30, 1980
Owner (APPLICANT) Bonanza International, Inc. CORPORATION NEVADA 8350 N. Central Expressway Dallas TEXAS 75206
Attorney of Record Berman, Aisenberg & Platt
Disclaimer Without relinquishing any common law rights, exclusive statutary rights in the word “Toast” are disclaimed apart from the mark as shown.
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL-2(F)
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date August 31, 1981.
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark RAINBO IS GOOD BREAD
Goods and Services IC 030. US 046. G & S: BREAD, BUNS, AND ROLLS. FIRST USE: 19360000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19371000
Mark Drawing Code (3) DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS
Design Search Code 26.03.17 - Concentric ovals; Concentric ovals and ovals within ovals; Ovals within ovals; Ovals, concentric
26.03.21 - Ovals that are completely or partially shaded
Serial Number 73053254
Filing Date May 23, 1975
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Registration Number 1066335
Registration Date May 24, 1977
Owner (REGISTRANT) CAMPBELL TAGGART, INC. CORPORATION DELAWARE 6211 LEMMON AVE. DALLAS TEXAS
(LAST LISTED OWNER) EARTHGRAINS COMPANY, THE CORPORATION BY CHANGE OF NAME FROM DELAWARE 8400 MARYLAND AVENUE ST. LOUIS MISSOURI 63105
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Prior Registrations 0382966
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE WORDS “GOOD BREAD” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN, ALTHOUGH APPLICANT WAIVES NO COMMON LAW RIGHTS TO SAME.
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL-2(F)
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR).
Renewal 1ST RENEWAL 19970709
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

(Trademark)
Word Mark RAINBO
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 030. US 046. G & S: Bread. FIRST USE: 19260915. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19260915
Mark Drawing Code (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM
Design Search Code
Serial Number 71431038
Filing Date April 22, 1940
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Registration Number 0382966
Registration Date November 19, 1940
Owner (REGISTRANT) Campbell-Taggart Associated Bakeries, Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE 6211 Lemmon Avenue Dallas TEXAS
(LAST LISTED OWNER) Campbell Taggart, Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE Dallas TEXAS
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Prior Registrations 0229388;0345856
Type of Mark COLLECTIVE TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 12C.
Renewal 2ND RENEWAL 19801119
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date December 2, 2001